Iran 'finding ways' to supply long range rockets, other weapons to Hamas: Report

Iran 'finding ways' to supply long range rockets, other weapons to Hamas: Report

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Last Updated: Tue, Nov 27, 2012 05:10 hrs

Iran is 'finding ways to supply Hamas' with long range rockets and other weapons, a senior U.S. official has claimed.

Iran's alleged move comes even after the intense fighting between Hamas and Israel ended in a cease-fire last week.

According to CNN, one area of focus is the Iranian port of Bandar Abbas, which is under intense surveillance by American and Israeli intelligence services using spy satellites to gather the latest on Iran's cargo ships and aircraft smuggling weapons into Gaza.

U.S. and Israeli officials said Iranian ships make their way from Bandar Abbas into the Red Sea and dock in Sudan, the report said.

Some unload arms and missile parts, which are then smuggled over land into Sinai and then into Gaza's tunnels, according to Israeli and American officials, it added.

Other ships dock further north and the goods are unloaded into tunnels that lead from the Sinai to Gaza.

Officials believe that Iran wants to keep several routes open - especially if there is a crackdown on the ho'rizon from Egypt on the tunnels.

According to the report, the United States "strongly condemns" Iran's efforts to resupply Hamas with rockets, State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland said.

Nuland said Iran is subject to a U.N. resolution prohibiting it from exporting arms and neighbors of Iran are obligated to enforce this measure. (ANI)